Until recently, Greece was one of the few European countries where universities could operate only as public institutions. Article 16 of the Constitution kept private university education outside the system, despite decades of political debate and repeated attempts at reform.
That changed in March 2024, when a new law allowed recognised foreign universities to establish non-state, non-profit branches in Greece. The Council of State later upheld the legal framework.
The Ministry of Education now lists 11 non-state university branches. This guide explains who they are, the subjects they advertise and what students should ask before applying.
How Greece’s non-state university system works
Although these institutions are often described as private universities, their legal title is University Legal Entities, known in Greek as Νομικά Πρόσωπα Πανεπιστημιακής Εκπαίδευσης or Ν.Π.Π.Ε.
They operate as non-state, non-profit branches connected to recognised universities outside Greece. Each branch requires a licence to operate, while its individual degree programmes are assessed separately.
Therefore, the inclusion of a university in the Ministry’s directory does not automatically mean that every degree advertised by its parent university is approved for delivery in Greece.
A note about the degrees listed below
The degrees listed below are indicative and should not be treated as a complete list of programmes approved in Greece. Foreign universities may offer more degrees at their home campuses than their Greek branches are currently authorised to teach, while some proposed programmes may still be awaiting approval. Before paying any fees, applicants should confirm the status of their chosen programme directly with the institution and check its accreditation with the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education.
Greece’s 11 non-state university branches
1. AFS University of Science and Technology
AFS University of Science and Technology brings together Iowa State University and the American Farm School in Thessaloniki.
Location: Thessaloniki
Indicative subjects: Agriculture and natural resources, food science, biochemistry, business administration and economics.
2. Aegis Omiros University
Aegis Omiros University is the Greek branch of the University of Essex. It has three schools covering business administration, social sciences and health, and science and technology.
Locations: Athens and Piraeus
Indicative degrees: Business Administration, Shipping Business Management, Applied Dietetics, Computer Science and Biology.
The university says that a Psychology department is planned for the 2027–2028 academic year. It should therefore be treated as a future offering rather than a programme currently available.
3. Anatolia American University
Anatolia American University is based at Anatolia College in Thessaloniki and follows an American-style educational model.
Location: Thessaloniki
Indicative degrees: Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Business Computing, Computer Science, English, Political Science and International Relations, and Psychology.
4. Deree, The American University of Greece
Deree, The American University of Greece, forms part of The American College of Greece and has a long educational presence in Athens.
Location: Athens
Indicative subjects: Business, accounting, finance, marketing, economics, international relations, communication, journalism, English, psychology, biology, environmental science, mathematics, cybersecurity, music, visual arts and graphic design.
5. European University Cyprus Athens
European University Cyprus Athens is the Athens branch of European University Cyprus. The university says the campus will begin with four schools: Medicine, Life and Health Sciences, Business Administration and Digital Technologies, and Law.
Location: Athens
Indicative subjects: Medicine, life and health sciences, business administration, digital technologies and Greek law.
6. Francophone University of Greece
The Francophone University of Greece is associated with Université Sorbonne Paris Nord. Its official website states that the branch has been licensed by the Greek Ministry of Education following a positive institutional assessment by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education.
Location: Athens
Indicative subjects: Law, economics and business administration, and physical education and sport.
Programme status: The programmes are still awaiting accreditation.
7. Georgetown University Greece
Georgetown University, based in Washington, DC, is included in the Ministry of Education’s directory of non-state university branches in Greece.
Location: Athens
Indicative subjects: The announced plans have focused on postgraduate education, including leadership and environment and sustainability management.
8. Keele University Greece
Keele University Greece is the Greek branch of Keele University in the United Kingdom. It operates in Athens through an association with Metropolitan College.
Location: Athens
Indicative subjects: Business, marketing, management, law, psychology, forensic science, education, English language studies and health-related fields.
Keele has also announced a Medicine programme, which is awaiting accreditation.
9. University of Derby Greece
University of Derby Greece is connected to the University of Derby in the United Kingdom and Mediterranean College in Greece.
Locations: Athens and Thessaloniki
Indicative subjects: Business administration, economics and finance, supply chain management, human resources, computer science, cybersecurity, psychology and education.
The university has also identified areas for future development, including artificial intelligence, engineering, architecture, biosciences and sport science.
10. University of Nicosia Athens
University of Nicosia Athens is the Greek branch of the University of Nicosia, a private university based in Cyprus.
Location: Athens
Indicative subjects: Accounting, business administration, marketing, psychology, law, pharmacy, medicine, computer science and data science.
11. University of York Europe Campus, CITY U.L.E.
The University of York Europe Campus operates through CITY College in Thessaloniki as a branch of the University of York in the United Kingdom.
Location: Thessaloniki
Indicative subjects: Business, accounting and finance, marketing, hospitality, communication and digital media, computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, English studies and psychology.
Are the programmes taught in English?
Many of Greece’s non-state university branches advertise programmes taught in English. This includes several branches connected to British and American universities and University of Nicosia Athens.
However, teaching languages can vary by institution, programme and study route. Some programmes may be delivered in Greek or combine more than one language. Applicants should check the language used for teaching, examinations and written assignments in every year of their chosen degree.
Can international students apply?
International students may apply, subject to the admissions rules of the individual university. Requirements can include secondary school qualifications, proof of English or another teaching language, academic transcripts and programme-specific entrance criteria.
Non-EU students should also ask whether the institution can provide the documents required for a Greek student visa and residence permit. Admission to a programme does not by itself guarantee immigration approval.
What to ask before applying
- Is this specific programme accredited for delivery at the Greek branch?
- Has the programme received final approval, or is approval still pending?
- Which institution will award the degree?
- Will the entire programme be taught in Greece?
- What is the teaching language for every year of study?
- Does the qualification provide access to the intended profession in Greece?
- Are additional recognition or licensing procedures required after graduation?
- What are the total tuition fees and other compulsory charges?
- What happens if a programme is delayed, changed or does not receive approval?
- Are fees refundable if the programme cannot begin?
- Can the university support a non-EU student’s visa and residence permit application?
Students should request important answers in writing and retain copies of the programme description, fee agreement and refund policy. They should also distinguish between the licence held by the branch and the accreditation of the particular degree they want to study.
Sources
Greek Ministry of Education: University Legal Entities
Hellenic Authority for Higher Education
Official websites of the institutions listed above.
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